A nine-year-old Russian girl was allegedly raped by a tourist in north Goa's Arambol beach, police said in Panaji on Wednesday. Goa shame

A nine-year-old Russian girl was allegedly raped at a beach in north Goa on Tuesday.

A Russian woman filed a complaint with the Pernem police, 35 km from the state capital, claiming that her daughter was raped by an unidentified Indian person at Arambol while she was on the beach between 5.30 pm and 6 pm.

Superintendent of Police (North Goa), Atmaram Deshpande told HT that the police are investigating the case and refused to comment further.

“The incident took place around 5.30 pm on Tuesday when the girl was playing at Arambol beach and her mother was sitting nearby. An unidentified person came

up and diverted her attention while another person took the girl to a nearby rock,” said Vikram Verma, an advocate who represents the Russian embassy.

A medical examination of the girl has confirmed rape, he said.

Verma added that the girl had arrived from Moscow with her parents about a month back. “Her father returned to Moscow on Monday. The girl and her mother, who is a doctor, wanted to spend a few more days in Goa,” he said.

Verma claimed that the victim’s mother came to know from locals that a local resident named Aman may be involved in the attack. Police, however, deny that they have any such information.

Russia seeks action

Russia on Wednesday demanded “strict and efficient” measures be taken immediately by India to ensure the safety of its citizens, failing which it would issue an advisory to its tourists to refrain from visiting Goa.

In a strong worded statement, the Russian embassy said, “We are shocked and deeply outraged by the reports about the disgusting incident in India’s well-known resort in Goa, when a 9-year old child from Russia became another victim of a rapist. The embassy reiterates its grave concern over the growth of criminal cases against Russians in Goa.”